Garmin Forerunner 965 After 100 Days 

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Those shots are incredible! And that transition is amazing! Man I love your videos! Well done once again! Keep up the amazing work :)

Just discovered your channel……..Love the style, look, and information of your videos! Keep up the great work

the video quality is unreal... love it. keep it up!

Just when I consider buying this watch ... Your insights are much appreciated and video production is top notch. Instant sub

your videography and editing is amazing. Nice video

What an intro!! ❤️

Matt great assessment of this watch. I go through an insane amount of watch testing to settle on my watch of choice. I got the 965 when it was first released and the white version was about the only one I could get my hands on. Loved everything about that watch except for the white color. I then went through Fenix 7 Pro and Eprix Pro Gen 2. While both were awesome pieces of hardware and more than met my needs the bulk of those watches just bugged me and never set up to my eye very well. Landed back on the black 965 which hits the sweet spot for size on the wrist and the awesome 1.4 display which matches the Eprix 51mm. The titanium bezel adds a nice touch of class. All the features added with the new update like nap detection really brings this watch up to very closely matching the epix and fenix line. This will remain on the wrist until that 9 whatever comes out with the flashlight and upgraded OHR comes out. Keep up the great work.

265 user since early 2023. Love it does everything I need for running, biking, hiking, walking. Love the long battery life (>1 week). Love the morning report and daily suggested runs. I did get scratches on the glass surface but that’s just what happens when you use it daily

These videos feel like they cost $600 to see, the production quality is spectacular,

Just watched your intro, and then watched it again. I truly need to give the ForeRunner line of watches by Garmin another go. I have not worn a ForeRunner for nearly 18 years - thanks for the review, Matt 👍

265 user here, bought it at launch and it does everything a regular amateur triathlete would ever want. A titanium bezel sure would be lovely, but so was the money I saved by buying the 265 over the 965. Either way they are both fantastic watches and I look forward to upgrading in the future to perhaps the 285/985.

Ordered my 965 yesterday, been using the Fenix 6x pro and also a Apple Watch 7. It always come down to the battery longevity, plus the screen on the 965 looks Awesome.

Great video as always! I love the 965. I upgraded from the 935 and was very impressed with the improvements!! One of the features I like, in addition to the one you mentioned and others, is that it pairs seamlessly with Zwift while I am on the treadmill. I do not have to use my Strd foot pod and it makes life much easier during virtual training.

Been using the 965 for about 6 months now. No scratches whatsoever (I do not use any protective cover). Started on the FR 55, progressed to the 245 and now the 965. It is by far the best watch I have ever had. Love the slim body and light weight. Also maps is important to me so for me it is perfect. Not a fan of the iq-app store but I can live with that. Shame not more banks parttake in garmin pay

First of all , thanks for your excellent review after 100 days !!! I and struggle on chose between forerunner 965 and Coros apex 2 pro a month ago, chose the Coros finally since I do feel disappoint on the materials which Garmin still using plastic on the body and the battery is my concern , I use Garmin from 910XT for long time and forerunner 945 almost 4 years , the new AMOLED display is the main trend in the the future ,I would rather to test coros ecosystem for 1 or 2 years and hoping Garmin will have a huge improvement on the battery life even using multi band GPS to track the activity, beside the the the life trend of 955 ( just almost a year ) and they release 965 which also make the runner willing to wait a year or half and year more longer to see how Garmin will make a huge change on the forerunner series !!!

first glad your wife enjoys your watches as much as you do! those beg shots are awesome!! the king of b roll is what someone said and it is true once my fenix 3 non hr dies i will buy this or the latest fenix too bad you dont use the Stamina as was wondering how that is, i see ClimbPro is with this watch. so that is a good thing enjoy the fall running!! its been beautiful over here in VT

I have the Forerunner 255. Is pretty good. The screen is way nicer on the 265 and 965. I mainly use the Instinct Solar though. Since that thing does solar charging, rugged, and the battery lasts so long.

Thanks, that's a really useful video.. I'm still using my FR935 and there have been so many new features and functionalities since then, that I am at the point where I just need to upgrade. I am still a bit torn between the FR965, Fenix 7 SS or even the Epix pro.. Next to running and swimming I also golf and the new functionality they added in the F7/Epix pro makes me tend a bit more in that direction, however the F7 doesn't have the AMOLED display. That's next to the fact that they're soooo thick compared to the FR. The slimness that you mentioned is what I really like about my FR935 as well..

Congrats on the video! I am new to the channel, and I really loved your content. I am deciding between the 955 solar, base Fenix 7 base solar (we can find incredible discounts in the last weeks), 965, or Suunto Race. For the last 5 years, I have been using a Suunto Spartan Trainer, with zero problems, but I am noticing that the display is dimming and the battery life is not the same, though still alright. I've never had luck with Garmin devices. My Suunto survived two Vivoactive 4 (both of them died before 6 months of use), and my wife's forerunner 35. Therefore, I am having a hard time deciding to stay with Suunto and go with the Race (though it is amoled, I prefer MIP, and the Vertical is beyond my budget) or give Garmin another chance. I once saw on reddit the following comment that sure brought me LOL: "MIPS if you're an athlete who trains outdoors a lot. OLED if you just want people at the office to think you are.¨. Anyway, thanks for the updated review, man, and have a happy new year!

Your reviews are fabulous! I recently purchased an Instinct 2X off the back of your review. I’m thrilled with it so far! Question: how does the Generation 4 Sensors compare to the new Generation 5? Would you notice a big difference?

After 2 months with FR965 - I have a display on gesture and it takes around 2-3% of battery per day. In activity with multiband GPS, HR monitor, and always on display, I am on 5% battery per hour. With a 60-minute daily activity, I have no trouble lasting almost two weeks on one charge. The only real battery drain is Spotify. Don't know why, but when I run with music it's around 15% per hour and it really makes a difference, when you have two longer runs on the weekend and you are under 50% battery :-O

I have the 265 and a lot of what you liked about the 965 (training readiness, morning report, size/weight factor, amazing display!) Is there in the 265 as well. I really agonized about not having maps but the price difference was just such a barrier to entry and I think for *most* people a 265 will do almost everything they want. I really wish Garmin didn't pay gate some of their features (looking at you stamina and hill score!) On the 965 vs 265 as there's no reason the 265 can't do those metrics but hey they're a bit gimmicky at this point in their first iteration so I'm not sure how big a loss that is.

MIP (955) allows you to glance at the data without flipping your wrist, say, if your hands are on the brake hood. It's always on: It's a deal maker for me against AMOLED. AMOLED is the next bright thing that all you reviewers are compelled to be onboard regardless of its short coming.

Usefull video, no scratches on mine! Loooove this watch ( coming from 945LTE ) would have been great if they added the LTE feature to this one. You mentionned the swimlap in manual mode. So you hit start stop every time ??? I have it in auto mode mæbut track my swims with my FORM goggles. But the garmin AWAYS droppes my avg pace per 100 by about 10 sec. Its not a sensitive to me stopping at the end of the lane i guess.

Thank you for the very precious video review. I can find quickest reviews on RU-vid, but yours is adding the 100 days of experience that makes difference! I was almost to buy epix pro gen2 47mm, but now I am really in between them.. haha The reasons I initially thought epix pro gen2 is the go are that I wear it on business, and I had scratched my Venu quite bad... I was still thinking that the bigger screen and lighter weight are the better points for 965, so now I am a little bit leaning to 965... What is your opinion? Thanks from Japan.

Good info. I'm completely happy with my 955. Maybe next upgrade. I'll try the amold screens. Maybe.

Great review Matt ,as always 😊 can you give me your opinion please. I'm addicted to watches ,i have the Fênix 7 solar and the 955 ,but lately the feeling of get an amoled watch is growing on me,my racional side tells me if i bought an epix 2 or a 965 I'm a dumb, because is the same watch with an amoled display. But in the other hand the screen looks beautiful,my question is,do you think,if money is not a problem, worth to buy some of those watches only because of the beautiful screen?

Got this watch. Well, it does everything i need. But i would probably like instinct 2x tactical better. Still a good choice i think.

I noticed you’re wearing the ultra. I’ve been a long time Garmin guy, I used to really love all the data and used it substantially in training through the years. The past year or so I’ve really altered my training and have gotten much more into zone 2 training with sprints a few days a week and the at just about all I need in terms of data. I’ve never had much luck with Garmin having any really reliability on the watch alone for accuracy, I’ve just always worn a chest strap but recently wanted to simplify things and sort of prioritize wrist based accuracy. I seem to be down to the ultra and the 965. Would you say you feel confident in these two for wrist based accuracy alone, no chest strap? Additionally of the two which do you prefer? Regards and love your videos.

Great review as usual. Just the best video quality and so informative. Question: Do you prefer your AW Ultra 2 over your Epix Pro Gen 2? Curious as to which watch of those two get the most wrist time with you. Thanks and keep up the great work.

Matt really excellent video today mate and thank you for taking the time to do this and going through it so thoroughly and good to get some feedback. I've just gone and bought one I'm waiting for it to arrive tomorrow but I do a lot of Long distance swimming and I just wanted to ask does it record VO2 Max and your recovery time if you don't wear it for sleeping? I Tend not to wear bulky watches when I sleep at night as it's cumbersome and I don't like sweeper sleeping with them but will I get accurate body battery type information on the watch if I don't use it for sleep and only wear it during the day? Cheers Adam

Hey great video! I’ve been thinking of getting either this or the 955 solar as its a bit cheaper and can solar charge. I don’t know if i can justify the extra money for the FR965. Whats your opinion/thoughts?

I putted hydrogin film on the screen to protect it more. In secret I start liking it a bit more then my Epix 2. Thank you for making this evaluation. And super video quality again! 🎥 And about the watch. Happy I have it. Love the light and slimness compared to an Epix. It just has everything. With swiminng you need to watch out no to scratsch the bezel at the bath stone walls. The morning report is also a good wat to start the day. The training programm helps me to become a better runner. I hope the Venu 3 software futures also find their way. And about the price in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 it's for sale through my bank for €450 incl taxes. Which wasn't expencive. The good thing about the watch, is thats a really good alrounder which brings the best of Garmin.

Great review. Thanks. Any views on how using polarised sunglasses interact with visibility/ readability of the FR965 screen? I’ve heard it might be an issue compared with the FR955s.

Garmin watches are serious tools. But there are two issues I found both in epic pro and instinct 2X. When I was walking without moving my hands sometimes the steps did not count. I mean with no any exercise active on the watch. And the other one has to do with the Garmin connect app. It needs internet connection in order to show you your stats. These watches suppose to be expedition watches. You should see your stats by Bluetooth, as you are lost in the nature for some days. These was the biggest flaw for me.. Bigger than the battery life shortage of an AWU.

The 965 is one of my favorite Garmin watch releases of late. The point around its slimmer body is a great one. Despite it being a larger watch in terms of screen size, it really disappears on the wrist compared to an Epix or Fenix.

Thanks for the video. Is it possible to just control the music of your smartphone through this Garmin? Not listening music directly but just manage the music you listen with your headsets from the phone. ??

Hi Matt! Great review. Thanks so much for posting. I've been with Polar for over 10 years (currently have the Vantage M that I got in 2019) and was hoping the newly released Vantage 3 was going to be somewhat on par with the FR965. So, I think at this stage I'll be jumping over to Garmin. Can you just address two items: 1). Pool lap swimming accuracy and 2) Durability for Strength Training sessions. I know you touched on lap swimming briefly in your review. Just looking for feedback on the lap accuracy (assuming the watch is set up with correct pool size). My Vantage M has been unreliable from the start in this area. And I do everything Polar tells me to as far as watch/hand position; pushing off at each lap, etc. As far as strength training I saw a blurb out there that the watch might be on the less than durable side; especially during strength training sessions. So just looking for your feedback. Thank you!

Is there a surf activity on the Forerunner 965? Will it hold up in the waves? I much prefer the look (and price, haha) of it compared to the Epix pro. Outstanding video!

Thx for the review! As someone else pointed out, this is a really high production value video! I have been looking for a watch that can be worn in both marathons and trail races (light weight, long battery life, navigation with maps) and the 965 seems to fit all my criteria… that is until you said it may not last long enough for a 100 mile race such as the UTMB. Not that I am planning to run 100 miles any time soon, but I definitely don’t feel like buying another watch just for that occasion. If you fiddle enough with the settings, do you think you can get it to last approximately 46 hours?

I bought mine second hand had like two screen scratches cant be seen until you aim it toward light but at least saved 300dollars 😂😂😂 plus it is going to scratch which means I am using it.....about first experince from 945 user well big difference all I can say worth the upgrade .....

Been w the 745 for the past 3 years and I love it been looking to upgrade to the 965 fir the amoled but that raised screen is kinda a deal breaker imo

Even though it's only 0.7 mm bigger in diameter, it does look bigger on the wrist than the 955. Especially when the screen is on it looks huge I think.. I still prefer the 955, primarily for the MIP screen. OLED surely looks nice but on a watch I don't like that it's either a black screen or emitting light. I might even get another 955 (even though my current one is a year old and works fine) so I know I can enjoy an MIP forerunner for many years to come 🙈

This isn’t my targeted watch but my sister likes it light weight and bright good in enough for her 👏 I said to myself no more garmin purchases 😅 but I did choose one yh 1 more garmin tactix 7 pro. I could say list reasons why but 3 good ones 1. The price drop just right. 2. I’m sucka for a green light it’s my fav colour 3. It’s a black dlc yh I’m not the biggest fan grey watches 😂 it’s a big usually But hey the smallest can make anyone happy including me 😄 Brilliant vid as always Matt 👍🙌

If you switch off the AOD and switch it to GPS you can easy do an Ultra Run with it🙂. I saw a comment someone was doing one and he had after 36hrs still 21% left

Hi, I have FR965 but I get issued when use Running exercise, sometimes the display still off when I raise my hand, so I must tap the display to turn on. Is that issue happening of your watch?

You explain specifications nice! But i have to say that you have not mentioned anything about "background color setting" of this watch in activities! Infact this watch with all the glorious stuffs "HAVE NO" background color setting in activities like FR-955!

Dislikes = still 2 ciq fields, after all these years. Concerns = the risen gorilla glass. I don't have any scratches yet but i hit stuff all the time, so i believe it is a matter of time. Regarding battery life during ultra activities, i tested it and i estimated you can get 40 hours of battery life with the following settings: - display = gesture - timeout = 4 seconds - gestures = 15-20 per hour - gps = auto - recording = every second - heart rate = wrist - external sensors = 2 - phone = not connected - pace pro = on for 1 hour - navigation = off

Sorry, I only wanted to say that with Lego minifigures appearing here and there in the review, you are definetly the person I trust most! 😁 Being serious, thanks for this nice and complete review, also proposing real-life examples and giving some view on swimming, too - which was something I was looking for!

Great review. I'm not sure why the hr monitor of my fr965 disconnects frequently while doing any kind of exercise, even sleeping. I'm not sure if it's just me or anyone else. 🥺💔

One question when I go for a run for one hour and I won't turn on the GPS mode so garmin forerunner 965 will capture my step count speed and rest of the numbers?....... Reason behind this question is if we don't turn on GPS we can save battery life right. So please answer to my question

Fr965 or epix pro!? Greetings from México, great video!

I see you’re wearing the Apple Watch Ultra and the Garmin. Thought I was the only one that wore 2 watches 😂

Would you go 965 or Fenix 7 sapphire solar for 100k trail races?

Hi Matt,have garmin introduced the jet lag into the 965 ? Or just the fenix.

Add nap tracking (see Venu 3) and this one is mine. Anyone agree?

just ordered mine today, can't wait to replace my samsung watch, thing dies in about 36 hours, so annoying having to constantly charge it.

The problem of this watch is that; It doesn't have background color in data screen setting, like FR-955! It is only black background with white shining amoled font wich shines on to your eyes! I didn't have eyes comfortability and easy readability! That's why i sent the watch back.

Im trying to decide between the 955 and 965. Any thoughts or recommendations??

Coming from a 955 I cannot bring myself to get another plastic shell

Hi everyone, I have a lil question about the forerunner series. Should i buy the 965 or the 955 solar? What's your opinion? Now I have the Polar Vantage M but the new Polar Vantage V3 is disappointing me. So I'm going to switch to Garmin..

Give me a flashlight on the next version please 👍

I have scratches on my display by hitting something rough. But that‘s what can happen to all watches 🤷🏼‍♂️

Where in the heck can you find the move status in the 965?!?! You can see it in steps within the Fenix. I have still yet to find it on the 965, and I don't want to use another watch face

7 days in and a scratch on the screen, totally gutted as i have never had a scratch on any garmin before and ive had a lot. If this is a week in then i dont hold out much hope, gutted.

Was torn between 965 and Epix while viewing reviews, but an in store on arm comparison took less than 30 seconds for me to go 965. Really disliked the bulk of the Epix. Ive purchased the more adventurish quick detach band used on some Epix and the standard 965 watch face options have some that are more adventure looking than the std Forerunner faces. It is now my perfect hybrid and I often switch watch faces to match what I'm doing at the time. I really enjoy this device!

6:46 "The GPS data looks absolutely fantastic to me..." did you really run three feet beside the road or you did run on the road surface, Matt? Your traces shown here doesn't support your talkings.

I have mine for 70 days. Dislikes - raise to wake doesn't always work when I'm running or racing so I have to do a double or triple arm turn when my 245 never had this issue. Also I got stung by a wasp last week and the watch went mental trying to contact emergency contacts but couldn’t because it needs to be connected to a phone. So this feature is pretty much useless if something happens to you and you don't have your phone. Everything else is magic with this watch. No scratches, 9 day battery, every piece of information a runner could desire especially with the recent software update.

Oh it's sat iq , I keep calling it SA tick 😅

Forerunner 45 is Better Forerunner 965 Watch Tell You

Did your wife like the size of it or was it too large? I would like to sleep with it but worry that it might be too large for a 5feet 4 girl? Wish there was a 965s… Oh also: Your videos are amazing Matt!!!

Great review but your wrist... 165mm

First! :D

So... I'm a triathlete who holds onto things forever. I had the Garmin Forerunner 920XT for years. It recently died, though, (the battery is shot), so I'm looking for my next long-time watch. Is the Garmin 965 worth it over the 955? Are the differences notable enough to make up the price difference? Thanks for your help!